It's NO joke folks...

VITAMINS - FOR LIFE!!! Does everyone hear this???? VITAMINS FOR LIFE!!!

I work in an Occupational Health Clinic but I have several patients who are WLSers (mostly RNY because that's what's available in our area). Anyway... I was doing a routine physical on one of these patients today - she's about 19 months post-op. She has been having some problems for a few months but has been afraid to see the surgeon because she hasn't taken ANY vitamins for about 9 months (and prior to that it wa**** and miss) and doesn't want to get lectured. She's been getting tingling and weakness in her hands and feet and she can't concentrate. She bursts into tears for no reason at all (which she did during the exam) and it seems to be getting worse.

So... as I'm doing her exam - she starts to get slurred speech and her neurological status starts to deteriorate quickly - can't remember where she is or what year it is. I call 911 and they whisk her off to the ER. I thought she was having a stroke!

The diagnosis - SEVERE MALNUTRITION AND B1 DEFICIENCY!

She will be hospitalized for quite a while to TRY to correct this problem, but I don't know if she will ever be the same.

THIS CAN BE AVOIDED IF YOU TAKE YOUR VITAMINS!!!!!

YOU ARE NOT IMMUNE TO THIS! You could have the most balanced diet on earth, but you still can't absorb the vits that you need from your food so supplementation is necessary for life - I don't care how good your 3, 6, or 12 month labs look...if you stop taking the vits - you WILL develop deficiencies and you may suffer potentially irreversible complications - including death.

OK - I'll grudgingly step down off my soap box now. But have I made my point????!!!

Bekah

Bekah,  GREAT post!  It just amazes me that people don't realize how important their supplements are.  Or think that Flintstones will do it.  The sad thing is that some Docs still go along with this! I think most on this board realize the importance, so I was glad to see that you posted on the main board as well. I hope your patient recovers! Michele

Thank you for posting this.  I take my vitamins, BUT as I had my surgery in anothe rcountry did not get any follow-up.  I have been feeling rough for a while and thinking about seeing my pcp and asking them to run tests specific to wls patients (a long list I got from this board). I've been putting it off - hectic schedule, etc., but after reading this I KNOW I HAVE TO DO IT ASAP.

KUDOS Bekah!!! Can't agree with you more, and you said it so very well. I'd rather over vitamin, then be in a troubled state. Its people taking the bull by the hand and learning about our malabsorption surgery and why we need vitamins, why they don't absorb like "regular stomach", why we need protein supplimentation. The whys... This is a great tool, but it is a tool. Not a quick weight fix that you can ignore after the fact. Oops, looks like I was on the soap box with ya!!!

BEKAH-I TOTALLY agree!!!!! I am almost 6 years out. My doc was "ahead of his time" in many respects, but was not very educated about vitamins, early on. He had us using Flintstones and Cal Carbonate. He also was against protein shakes, believing we could get "enough" protein from "food sources". Times change, and people learn. Luckily, he was more than willing to be educated.

People MUST be proactive regarding their own health-bottom line. My "tingling" was mis-diagnosed as neuropathy, but I was persistant-and sure enough-was a B12 deficiency--all better now.

Thank you for a wonderful post

Gina AKA Nurse Diva

CHILLING!!!!   This is a BIG eye-opener on how fast things can go wrong.  So glad that you were able to get her immediate help.  Bet that your heart was breaking a bit for her; eventhough she should have known better.  Thanks to your post... We DO! Thank you... Thank you... Ro

I knew that I "signed-on" for the supplements for life part, when I had my RNY.  I've been good, but my levels are still "off" and I'm getting new lab results in 2 weeks.  After reading this thread and the replies from so many Grads who must carefully monitor their intake... I want to extend well wishes and hope that everything gets better for all.  This is probably the scariest part of WLS... the unknown part that we face for the rest of our lives.  Most of us have dropped a lot of weight; weight that I don't think we could have lost with WLS.   Just wish that this post and responses could reach more people.  Like a "service announcement"... I think that more people would get the shock effect that ha**** here.   Thanks for sharing... Best Health to All. Ro

Cheers to you for posting this. So many people don't want to see the doctor because they know they'll get lectured...What the heck is that? If you know you're doing something wrong, damnit, FIX IT!  Of course, I need to see the dentist but that's a totally UNRELATED thing...(ahem, cough).

Hijack Dentist = physical pain Doc when you aren't compliant = mental pain perfectly understandable

THANK YOU for posting this!!  I hope you don't mind but I posted your story on the MN OH board!  SUCH and important reminder!  THANK YOU!!!